Well spudding apparatus



1940- H. w. CARDWELL WELL SPUDDING' APPARATUS Original Filed June 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Jan. 30, 1940. H. w. CARDWELL WELL SPUDDING APPARATUS Original Filed June25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ali/[46657 JPwofeM Patented Jan. 39, 194i) Wires stares page WELL SPUDDING APBARATUS Harland W. Cardwell, Wichita, Kans.

Application June 25, 1937, Serial No..150,403

Renewed December 7. 1939 y 1 1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in well spudding apparatus and is more particularly concerned with the provision of novel means for driving or operating apparatu of this general character.

The primary object of the invention is to provide mechanism for eiiecting rocking of the spud.- ding shaft which in its specific form involves the provision of a novel connecting arm for communicating motion derived from the prime mover to the spudding shaft. T

A further object is to provide a connecting arm fora well spudding apparatus which is structurally very strong although possessing minimum weight, and which constitutes a durable and efficient means for imparting a rocking motion to the spudding shaft.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a connecting arm for well spudding apparatus which is so shaped and arranged that the rocking motion imparted to the spudding shaft may be interrupted for a brief rest period whereby the spudding arm carried by the spudding shaft pauses in a position to afford the tools at the bottom of the hole to hit a harder stroke. In a well spudding apparatus of the character heretofore employed, the tools in the bottom of the hole operated about a half a stroke behind the line movement and a feature of the present invention provides for creating a rocking motion which allows time for getting the stretch out of the line as it is the holding of the taut line when the line is at the end of the down stroke that furnishes a sharp hammer blow. Thusyif the pause were not provided for, a constant rocking motion of the spudding shaft would prematurely raise the tools before they have been permitted time to make an effective hammer blow;

The improvements contemplated by the present invention are particularly adapted for use with. well spudding apparatus of the character herein illustrated and described, but it is understood that they may be employed with well spudding apparatus as disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,028,697 or with spudding apparatus generally.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals 55, along line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

(c1. raw-45) Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the appa- I rat-us shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another'form of connecting arm, and

Figure 5 is aside elevational view of the connecting arm shown in Fig. 4 illustrating its operation.

Referring more particularly to the'drawings,

numeral 5 designatesin its entirety the chassis of a well spudding apparatus which chassis in- "14 cludes a pair of parallel beams which are interconnected and transversely bracedby any suitable means not illustrated in detail in the drawings. An upstandingframe is mounted on the chassis 5 intermediate the length thereof and-in- .5

cludes a pair of angularly arranged beams 6 mounted on each side beam of the chassis 5. The beams in each pair areangularly arranged with respect to each other to forman inverted V with the upper ends of the beams suitably connected. Mounted at one end of the chassis 5 to extend transversely thereof is a prime mover A which may take the form of an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. r The apparatus illustrated is a double drum um and is provided with a shaft it mounted by means of suitable hearings to extend transversely of the chassis 5 and having mounted thereon-a lower cable drum II and a second shaft Ill disposed above the lower drum and having mounted thereon an upper cable drum H and a carrying cathead I at one or both ends.

The forward ends 5 of the parallel beams which form the chassis 5 are bent upwardly as illustrated in Fig. 1. Bearings l2 are-fastened to the underneath'portions of the upwardly bent ends 5' and are provided for rockably supporting a spudding shaft it which extends transversely of the chassis 5. Suitably keyed to the spudding shaft 53, adjacent'oppcs'ite ends of'said shaft, are a pair of spaced spudding arms M, although it is understood that a singlespudding arm instead of a plurality of spudding arms may serve equally as well. To provide minimum weight coupled with maximum strength, spudding arms It are substantially =I-shaped and include longitudinally extending edge fiangeslfi and I l and transversely extendingbracingribs. H} to increase the strength of the arm. Projecting laterally from the edgeflange i6 is a double yoke member 20 formed with two substantially U-shaped depressions 2| and 22. A strap 23 is provided and is adapted to be arranged to bridge either one of the pockets or depressions 2l--22. I

' A sheave supporting shaft Z l'is adapted to be received by either pair of the pockets or depressions 2|'22 and the opposite ends or supported portions of the sheave shaft 24 are provided with annular grooves 25 which register with the depressions or pockets 2I--22 for restraining the sheave shaft against axial movement relative to the spudding arms. The straps 23 also fit in the grooves 25 of the sheave shaft 24. A fleeting sheave 26 is mounted upon the shaft 24 and is adapted for free rotation and slidable movement upon this shaft. By arranging the sheave shaft 24 in either pair of the depressions or pockets 2|-22, the sheave shaft 24 may be located different distances from the axis of the spudding shaft |3 so that the stroke of the sheave shaft with its sheave may be varied.

The structure above described embodies many of the features disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,028,697, and is referred to herein as exemplary of well spudding apparatus generally, to illustrate the operation of novel features with which the present invention is specifically concerned.

Coming now to the driving mechanism for the spudding shaft wherein the principles of the present invention particularly reside, gear housing or casing 3| is disposed adjacent the prime mover A and houses in part any suitable transmission mechanism driven by the prime mover A. The details of this transmission mechanism have not been illustrated, as any suitable form of gear or chain and sprocket wheel mechanism may be provided. A driving sprocket wheel 8 for the spudder driven by the transmission mechanism located within the casing 3| is mounted upon shaft 10' of the upper drum and trained thereover is a sprocket chain 33 for the driven sprocket wheel 32 mounted upon lower drum shaft Ill. Mountedupon a side of sprocket wheel 32 and at a point preferably adjacent its periphery is a wrist pin 34 having a bearing surface 35 which is rotatable with the sprocket wheel 32.

To effect oscillation or rocking of the spudding arm I4 and the spudding shaft |3 by the rotary movement of sprocket wheel 32, there is provided a connecting arm 36. One end of connecting arm 33 is provided with an aperture 3! to receive spudding shaft H3 and to key the connecting arm to the spudding shaft. Projecting lugs 38 and bolts 39 effect an adjustable and secure connection.

In the preferred construction illustrated, the spudder driving sprocket 3 is disposed above the driven sprocket 32 so that there will be a direct upward pull of the chain 33 and the arrangement is such that, as the wrist pin or pitman pin 34 rotates, the load is greatest when the pin 34 is nearest to the chain that pulls up the sprocket 32.

Connecting arm 36 is formed preferably of a pair or more of spaced parallel walls 40, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, for the purpose of dispensing with the excessive weight of a solid arm without sacrificing strength. The walls 4|), at the portions thereof opposed to the end of the connecting arm which is keyed to the spudding shaft, are provided with elongated slotted portions 4| which are preferably matched one with the other and adapted to slidably receive for reciprocation therein the wrist pin 34 carried by sprocket wheel 32. Bearing plates 42 are preferably provided for the opposed elongated sides of the slot 4| and, to receive the bearing plates 42, portions of the walls which define slotted area 4| may be recessed or indented, as at 43. The provision of bearing plates 42 is, of

course, advisable to reduce friction which might otherwise result from reciprocation of wrist pin 34 and its bearing surface 35 in the slot 4| of the connecting arm 36. It is apparent in Fig. 1 that rotation of sprocket wheel 32 and reciprocation of wrist pin 34 in slot 4| of the connecting arm 36 will effect a rocking movement of the connecting arm and a rocking movement of the spudding shaft |3 keyed thereto which, in turn, effects oscillation of the spudding arm 01' arms I4. It is also apparent in Fig. 1 that the provision of a straight slot 4| will impart to the spudding shaft a regular and uniform rocking motion.

Where it is desirable, because of the depth of the hole or the character of the earth, or other reasons, to effect a more powerful hammer blow than that afforded by the straight slot connecting arm 36 above described, a connecting arm 44 may be substituted therefor which is provided with an irregular slot as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Connecting arm 44 may, if desired, be constructed similarly to the connecting arm 36 and is likewise adapted to be keyed to the spudding shaft l3. The slotted. portion 45, however, of connecting arm 44 has ends 46 and 41 thereof respectively offset or disposed in different planes, with the end portion 4'! disposed above its opposed end portion 46. The slot intermediate the ends is provided with a curved portion 48 and, as in the alternative form of connecting arm, the elongated sides of the slotted portion of connecting arm 44 may be recessed, as at 49, to receive bearing plates 50 within which wrist pin 34 and its bearing surface 35 oscillate. In the position of the connecting arm shown in Figure 5, the curved portion 43 is concentric with the sprocket 23 and its axis of rotation.

The purpose of providing a connecting arm having a curved slotted portion, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 and as above described, is to effect a brief interruption in the rocking motion imparted to the connecting arm 44 by the oscillation of wrist pin 34 in the slotted portion 45 thereof, whereby a similar interruption or rest period is provided for the spudding shaft l3,

spudding arm l4 and the sheave 26 which directs movement of a tool holding cable, as will be readily understood by those familiar with the art. By means of a slotted portion curved in the manner illustrated, the interruption in movement or rest period for the spudding arm l4 and its sheave 26 takes place when the spudding arm is in an upright position and when the tools are dropped into the hole. By providing a rest period at this point instead of promptly starting the spudcling arm on its downward stroke to raise the tools, time is permitted for the stretch to get out of the line so that the line is taut at the end of its downward stroke and the tools thereon are permitted to strike a more powerful blow. Thus, if the rest period were not provided, the tools might be picked up before they have been permitted time to deliver an efficient hammer blow.

The position of the connecting arm 44 and spudding arm |4 shown in solid lines in Fig. 5 illustrate one extreme in their path of movement and the positions of the connecting arm 44 and spudding arm 4 shown in dotted lines illustrate the opposite extremes in their path of movement. It is apparent in 5 that, when the wrist pin 34 traverses the diagonally disposed or curved portion 48 of the slot 45, no rocking motion is imparted to the connecting arm and movement of elements, including the spudder tions of the solid lined wrist pin-indicatedby- X and the dotted line wrist pin indicated by Y. The angle-of rest for the spudder sheave-26- is indicated by intersecting lines passing diametrically through the wrist pin positionsX and Y and is identified by the legendin Fig. 5.

While the alternative formof connecting arm 44- herein described is illustrated as associated with a specific type of spudcling apparatus, it is understood that it may be employed with any other type of spudding apparatus to therein ef* feet the same operation. and results. Q

It is to be further understood that the novel connecting arms of the present-invention are not limited to the specific construction herein illustrated and described which is merely exemplary of the broad inventive concept as limited only in the following claims.

What I claim is: I

1. In well spudding apparatus having a rockable spudding shaft, a spudding armcarried by said spudding shaft, means for driving said spudding shaft to effect oscillation-of said spudding arm comprising a driven Wheel, a wristpin carried by, the wheel, and a connecting arm for the wheel and spudding shaft keyed at one end to the spudding shaft and provided with an elongated slot for receiving the wrist pin, said slot being irregularly shaped whereby the spudding arm is caused to pause at thetop of the stroke.

2. In well spudding apparatus having a ma able spudding shaft, a spudding arm carried by said spudding shaft, means for driving said spudding shaft to eifect oscillation of said: spudding arm comprising a driven wheel, a wrist pin carried by the wheel, and a connecting arm for the wheel and spudding-shaft keyed at one end to the spudding shaft and provided withv an elongated slot for receiving the wrist pin, the opposed ends of said slot being in different planes and connected by a curved intermediate portion whereby a rest period is provided for the spudding arm at the top of its stroke.

3.-In well spudding apparatus having a rockable spudding shaft, a spudding arm carried by said spudding shaft, means for driving said spuddingshaft to effect oscillation of said spudding arm comprising a driving wheel, a drivenwheel disposed in a plane below said driving wheel, a 1

drive-connection between said driving wheel and said driven wheel, a wrist pin carried bythe driven wheel and rotatable therewith, and'a connecting arm between the driven wheel and spuddingshaft keyed at one end to the spudding shaft and provided with an elongated slotfor receiving the wrist pin, the arrangement of the wrist pin and slot being such that the load is greatest when the wrist pin begins the upward cycle of its rotary movement and a sustained pause is provided in the cycle of oscillation of the spudding arm. I a

4. A connecting arm for disposition between the spudding shaft and drive wheel of a spudding apparatus, said arm having a slot in which a wrist pin on the drive wheel is adapted to reciprocate, the opposed ends of said slot being in different planes and connected by a curved intermediate portion whereby a pause is effected in the rocking cycle of the spudding shaft.

5. A connecting arm for the spudding shaft and drive wheelwof a spudding apparatus comprising a plurality 1of-spaced walls each having a matched slotted portion, and a bearing plate dis:

posed in at least one of said slotted portions and adapted to be engaged by the bearing surface of awristxpin on the drive wheel wrist pin, the op posed endsof said bearing plate being in different planes and connected by a curved intermediate portion.

6. A connecting arm for the .spudding' shaft and drive wheel of a spudding apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced walls each having a matched slotted portion, and a bearing plate disposedin at least one of said slotted portions andadapted to be engaged by the bearing sura face of a wrist pin on the drive wheel.

7, A connecting arm for the spudding shaftand drive wheel of a spudding apparatus, such arm having a slot in which the drive Wheel wrist pin is adapted to reciprocate, the opposed ends 2 of said slot being in different planes and connected by a curved portion proximate to one of said ends, whereby a sustained pause is effected in the rocking cycle of the spudding shaft.

' 8. A connecting arm for the spudding shaft and drive wheel of aspudding apparatus comprising a-plurality of spaced walls, each having a matched slotted portion, a bearing plate disposed in at least one of said slotted portions and adaptedv to ,slidablyreceive a wrist pin, the opposed longitudinal ends of said slot being in diflit? ferent planes and connected by a curved inter- I mediate portion.

9. In well spudding apparatus having a rockable spudding shaft, a spudding arm carried by said spudding shaft, means for driving said spudding shaft to effect oscillation of said spudding arm comprising a driving wheel, a driven wheel disposed below said driving wheel, a drive connection between said drving wheel and said driven wheel, a wrist pin carried by the driven wheel and rotatable therewith, and a connecting arm for the driven wheel and spudding shaft keyed at one end to the spudding shaft and provided with an elongated slot for receiving the wrist pin, said slot being irregularly shaped whereby the s-pudding arm is causedto pause at the top of its stroke.

10. In well spudding apparatus having a rock able spudding shaft, a spudding arm carriedby said spudding shaft, means for driving said spudding shaft to effect oscillation of said spudding arm comprising a driving wheel, a driven wheel disposed below said driving wheel, a'drive connection between said driving wheel and said driven wheel, a wrist pin carried by the driven wheel and rotatable therewith, and a connecting arm for the driven wheel and spudding shaft keyed at one end to the spuddingshaft and provided with an elongated slot for receiving the wrist pin, said slot being irregularly shaped the topof its stroke, the arrangement being-such that the load is greatest when the wrist pin belongitudinally thereof, a portion of said slot being arcuate and substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable member in whereby the spudding arm is caused to pause at one angular position of said arm, and means carried by said rotatable member extending into said slot for actuating said arm when said rotatable member is rotated.

l2. A connecting arm for use in driving a spudding apparatus, said arm having an aperture at one end thereof to receive a spudding shaft adapted to carry a spudding arm, said connecting arm also having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, said slot having a curved portion intermediate its ends, the portions of the slot at the ends of said curved portion being arranged substantially radially relatively to the center of said aperture, whereby when said connecting arm is oscillated said curved portion effects a sustained pause in the movement of said spudding arm.

13. In a well spudding apparatus having a frame, a spudding shaft rotatably supported relatively to said frame, a spudding arm mounted upon said spudding shaft, and an element supported by said spudding arm adapted to engage a well cable, means for driving said spudding shaft to effect a pause in the cycle of oscillation of said spudding arm comprising: a shaft, a member mounted on said shaft, a connecting arm secured at one end to said spudding shaft, said connecting arm having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, a portion of said slot being arcuate and substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of said shaft in one angular position of said connecting arm, and means carried by said member extending into said slot for actuating said connecting arm when said member is rotated.

14. In a well spudding apparatus having a frame with an upright beam thereon, a spudding shaft rotatably supported relatively to said frame, a spudding arm carried by said spudding shaft and an element supported by said spudding arm adapted to engage a well cable, means for driving said spudding shaft to effect a pause in the oscillating movement of said spudding arm. comprising: a shaft, a driven member mounted on said shaft, a driving member for driving said driven member mounted upon said upright beam above said driven member, a connecting arm secured at one end to said spudding shaft, said connecting arm having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, a portion of said slot being arcuate and substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of said shaft in one angular position of said arm, and means carried by said driven member extending into said slot for actuating said connecting arm.

15. In a well spudding apparatus, a rockable spudding shaft; a spudding arm carried by said spudding shaft; a sheave supported by said spudding arm adapted to cooperate with a well cable; and means for driving said spudding shaft to effect oscillation of said spudding arm and sheave comprising a driving wheel, a driven wheel disposed below said driving wheel with the axis of said driven wheel in a horizontal plane above the axis of said spudding shaft, a driving connection between said driving wheel and said driven wheel, a wrist pin carried by the driven wheel and rotatable therewith, and a connecting arm for the driven wheel and spudding shaft fixed at one end to the spudding shaft and provided with an elongated slot for receiving said wrist pin, said slot being arranged in said connecting arm so that it lies below the axis of said driven member when said spudding arm and sheave are about to begin the downward movement of their oscillatory stroke, whereby the load on said wrist pin is greatest during the upward travel of said wrist pin.

16. In a well spudding apparatus, a rockable spudding shaft; a spudding arm carried by said spudding shaft; a sheave supported by said spudding arm adapted to cooperate with a well cable; and means for driving said spudding shaft to effect oscillation of said spudding arm and sheave comprising a driving wheel, a driven wheel disposed below said driving wheel, a drive connection between said. driving wheel and said driven wheel, a wrist pin carried by the driven wheel and rotatable therewith, and a connecting arm for the driven wheel and spudding shaft fixed at one end to the spudding shaft and provided with an elongated slot receiving said wrist pin, said slot being curved in part at least and being arranged in said connecting arm so that it lies below the axis of the driven wheel with the concavity thereof disposed toward said axis when said spudding arm and sheave are about to begin the downward movement of their oscillatory stroke.

17. In a well spudding apparatus, a rockable spudding shaft; a pair of spudding arms carried by said spudding shaft; a fleeting sheave rotatably supported by said spudding arms adapted to cooperate with a well cable; and means for driving said spudding shaft to effect oscillation of said spudding arms and sheave comprising a driving sprocket, a driven sprocketdisposed below said driving sprocket, a sprocket chain trained over said driving and driven sprockets, said driving and driven sprockets being arranged so that one side of said sprocket chain has a substantially vertical travel, a wrist pin carried by said driven sprocket, and a connecting arm for imparting motion from said driven sprocket to said spudding shaft, said arm being fixed at one end to said spudding shaft and being provided with an elongated slot adapted to receive said wrist pin, said slot being curved in part at least and being arranged in said connecting arm so that it lies below the axis of said driven sprocket wheel with its concavity disposed toward said axis when said spudding arms and sheave are about to begin the downward movement of their oscillatory stroke.

HARLAND W. CARDWELL. 

